Our Hotel Palladium is only a couple of blocks from the main terminal, a good land mark and good access to transport. We had a little walk around the block and some pizza while we waited for our rooms. Marta our cousin was at our hotel door when we got back from our first walk out from the Hotel Palladium.  Marie and Tess could not resist the lure of getting out and doing a bit of shopping but my bed called out to me.

La Sera we tried to meet Dad's need for good sphaghetti and then we were up for another family reunion with our other cousin Emmanuele her kids Diego and Claudia and one of mom's twin sisters Anna – our zia.  Emanuela, Marta & Adamo are the children of Clara & Domenico.  Anna & Sergio have one boy Claudio who at 41 has just announced his marriage.

After standing around on the pavement for a while debating what we were to do and how – we finally moved onto to the Castel Sant Angelo.  Apparently a fortress used by the pope when his enemies approached.  It has a direct  tunnel and bridge access from the Vatican city and the Basilica of Saint Peter.  The bridge travels across a moat around the fort.

The site is now used for a host of cultural activities – art exhibitions, music concerts, movie screenings – all in this amazing fort structure with arched corridors, hidden courtyards and a scarry underground basement of prison cells.  As you travelled up the fort structure you got views through the ramparts where hot oil could be dropped through holes on enemies trying to come up the ramparts. At the top of the Castel Sant Angelo there is a wonderful platform with a huge angel statue capping the top and views to the river and Vatican City with the Basilica of St Peter's the main view.

All around the outside of the grounds there are market stalls and more music and entertainment.  The Tevere River winds it's way directly below with amazing ponte (bridges) across with the Ponte Sant Angelo with huge sculptures along it.   Sculptures, fountains and a bevy of amazing grand old buildings and crumbling structures are every where you look.

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